Mack steps into the sunlit prison yard. The area is three hundred yards long and 100 yards wide. It has three guard towers, each one with two guards. One mans a machine gun and the other holds a sub-machine gun.

2. What does Colonel Zamatev already know about Mack?

The colonel knows that Mack is an American of Indian heritage. He went to university where he excelled as a decathlete. He was close to Olympic standard but didn't quite make it, instead, upon graduating from university, entering the Airforce. In the Airforce, he became a weapon's expert.

3. Why does the colonel think Mack would be interested in meeting Alekhin?

The colonel thinks Mack would be interested in meeting Alekhin because like Mack he is of Indian heritage. Alekhin is part of the Siberian Yakut tribe known as the iron men of the north.